Antislip attachments for snow footgear

ABSTRACT

A traction device to be fastened to the tread face of snowshoes, skis or other snow footgear, including an articulated transverse rigid flap or claw which may be provided with a number of longitudinal fins. The claw in a retracted position extends in a rearward direction lying flush against the tread face. It is freely biased in a downward direction as by a spring when the footgear is raised from the snow or by a backward movement in order to dig into the snow to prevent backsliding and readily retracts when the footgear is moved forwardly. The claw is securable in an upward retracted position when not in use.

United States Patent [1 1 Corneliusen [451 Sept. 25, 1973 Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson [76] Inventor: Philip R. Corneliusen, l-lillsboro Atmmey Gerald Altman et Upper Village, Hillsboro, NH. 03244 57 ABSTRACT [22] Filed: 15! 1971 A traction device to be fastened to the tread face of [2]] APPL 198,753 snowshoes, skis or other snow footgear, including an articulated transverse rigid flap or claw which may be provided with a number of longitudinal fins. The claw U-S. AB, in a retracted position extends in a rearward direction [5 Cl. flush against the tread face It is freely biased in Fleld of Search l -R, AA, a downward direction as *a pring when the footgear 36/2-5 61 is raised from the snow or by a backward movement in order to dig into the snow to prevent backsliding and References Cited readily retracts when the footgear is moved forwardly. UNITED STATES PATENTS The claw is securable in an upward retracted position 1,335,387 3/1920 Petrauskas 36/61 when not in 2,412,474 12/1946 Scott-Paine et al..... 36/25 AA 3,600,829 8/1971 La Violette 36/25 AB 7 Clam, 5 Drawmg Flgulies g 22 Y J ANTISLIP ATTACHMENTS FOR SNOW FOOTGEAR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to antiskid devices attachable to snow footgear such as skis, snowshoes, and the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art The most common past practice for reducing slipping of snowshoes and snow skis has been the attachment of animal skins to the bottom surfaces in a manner so that the grain of the fur opposes a backward motion. Various toothed, cleated, or abrasive devices have also been attached to footwear to furnish a grip and prevent slipping. Most of these prior art devices do not adapt readily to different conditions of use. Thus, the animal skins are usually completely detached from the skis or snowshoes when they are not necessary for uphill use. Most of these prior art devices, when particularly suited for operation in going uphill, become an encumbrance when traveling on flat ground.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Now in accordance with the present invention, an antislip attachment for snow footgear is provided which operates in two positions and may be locked into an inoperative position when not required. An articulated transverse flap, baffle or claw which may include a plurality of fins is hinged to a mounting frame which in turn issecured to the snow footgear. The spring loaded and extends rearwardly so that when the footgear is lifted above the ground surface or pressureis applied in a rearward direction, the claw rotates downward perpendicular to the footgear so as to engage the snow. The hinge then permits the claw to retract backward and upward upon forward motion of the footgear providing minimum resistance to such forward motion. An engagement lever is provided to lock the claws in to the retracted position when not in use. Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide novel antislip attachments for snow footgear.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a multiple fin snow gripping attachment for snowshoes.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide antislip attachments for snowshoes in which a hinged to swing downward gripping the snow when pressure is applied in a rearward direction and to pivot into a retracted position when the snowshoe is moved forward.

Further objectives and features of the invention will be better understood upon reading the following description together with the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a snowshoe carrying antislip attachments according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view, partially in section, of one of the antislip attachments depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view drawn along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagramatic side views showing an antislip attachment according to the invention in the retracted and extended positions respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1, snowshoe 10 is depicted using first antislip device 11 attached at forward crossbar 12 and second antislip device 14 attached at rear crossbar 15.

Referring now to FIG. 2, antislip device 11 is depicted in the same aspect as in FIG. 1 but separate from snowshoe l0. Antislip device 11 has a mounting 16 in the form of two plates. A first plate 17 is designed for mounting on the cross bar of a snowshoe such as crossbar 12 of FIG. 1. Mounting is by means of a series of screws, bolts, or rivets passing through apertures 18 of first plate 17. A second plate 20 of mounting means 16 is a rectangular plat'e secured to first plate 17 by a single fastener 21. Fastening 21 is suitably a rivet or other fastening which permits some rotation of second plate 20 with relation to first plate 17. Second plate 20 is designed to be attached to the peripheral frame of a snowshoe such as frame 22 of FIG. 1. Second plate 20 may be secured by screws, bolts, or rivets through apertures 24.

A plurality of fins 25, for example, 5, are connected to first plate 17 by a hinge 26. A claw or baffle plate 27 connects and covers the rear surface of fins 25. As can be seen in FIG. 3, this plate is given structural support by the fins 25 to prevent it from bending while in operation. Thus, fins 25 taper from a relatively large width proximate to hinge 26 to a relatively small width at their tips. A suitable width of fins 25 adjacent to hinge 26 is 1 inch.- However, this can be increased or decreased depending upon the thickness and the length of the fins. The fins are preferably several inches in length and three or more inches has been found desirable.

In one model of the invention, fins 25 and plate 27 have been made in one integral piece of aluminum with plate 27 being a rectangle of about three inches by four inches in which the 4 inch dimension would be lateral to a snowshoe. Mounting means 16 carries an arm 28 having a cylindrical aperture 30 positioned atone end of and axially concentric with hinge 26. Aperture 30 contains a spring 31 which is connected at a first end 34 adjacent to hinge 26 to the proximate member 32 of fins 25. This end 34 of spring 31 is suitably connected to fins 25 through an eprture (not shown) in member 32. Opposite end 35 of the spring 31 is conveniently staked to arm 28.

In FIG. 3, fins 25 are depicted in the retracted position placing them parallel with a snowshoe to which they would be attached. Spring 31 is arranged to apply biasing pressure to fins 25 urging them to a vertical position at right angles to the position shown in FIGS. two and three. Arm 28 in addition carries a locking device 36 engaging fins 25 in the retracted position. As depicted in FIG. 3, locking device 36 has a cylindrical rod 39 passing through an aperture 37 in arm 28 and bent at its lower end to provide a projecting finger 38 at right angles. Rod 39 is secured at the upper end by a knob 40. Helical spring 41 is positioned over rod 39 between arm 28 and knob 40 to hold finger 38 in an upward position. Fin member 32 has a slot 42 adjacent to finger 38. Slot 42 is positioned so that when fins 25 are fully retracted and rod 39 is extended downward by pressure on knob 40, finger 38 will register with and enter slot 42 upon rotation of knob 40.

In operation antislip device 11 is secured to a snowshoe with the first plate of mounting means 16 secured to a crossbar 12 and second plate 20 rotated to match the angle of the peripheral frame 22 and secured thereto. Preferably a second antiskid device 14 is similarly connected to the opposite side of snowshoe l either at cross bar 12 or crossbar 15. In walking with the snowshoe, fins 25 will swing to a vertical position either upon raising the snowshoe clear of the snow or by applying foot pressure in a rearward direction. When the fins 25 swing to the vertical position on hinge 26 the upper surface 45 of the fins bears against first plate 17 of mounting means 16. Plate 17 prevents rotations of fins 25 beyond the vertical position. When the snowshoe is moved forward, fins 25 are pushed into the retracted position parallel to the snowshoe where they offer minimum resistance to forward motion. For going downhill, on level ground, or for storage purposes, the fins are readily locked into the retracted position by means of locking device 36.

While the invention has been described with relation to a specific embodiment for snowshoes, simple adaptations are readily provided for skis and other forms of snow footwear. While the fins are described as integral with a solid plate, such is not necessary, and the fins may merely have enlarged trailing edges or a perforated plate or other construction providing a gripping surface for snow. Thus, it is the intention to claim the invention within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A traction device for snow footgear, comprising a. a claw,

b. pivot means mounting said claw to the tread face of said footgear for free pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the length of said footgear, and

c. stop means for limiting the pivotal movement of said claw from a retracted position substantially flush against said tread face and extending rearwardly of said footgear to a downwardly extending position approximately perpendicular to said tread face.

2. A traction device according to claim 1 in which said device is attached to a snowshoe.

3. A traction device according to claim 1 including at least one fin mounted to said claw, said fin being disposed in a plane extending lengthwise of said footgear and perpendicular to said tread face.

4. A traction device according to claim 1 including biasing means connected to said claw for normally urging said claw into an extended position.

5. A traction devide according to claim 4 wherein said biasing means is a spring connected to said claw.

6. A traction device according to claim 1 including selectively operable locking means engageable with said claw for locking said claw in a retracted position.

7. A traction device according to claim 1 including claw mounting means attachable to said footgear and comprising a first member securable to a lateral support of said footgear and a second member pivotally connected to said first member securable to a peripheral support of said footgear. 

1. A traction device for snow footgear, comprising a. a claw, b. pivot means mounting said claw to the tread face of said footgear for free pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the length of said footgear, and c. stop means for limiting the pivotal movement of said claw from a retracted position substantially flush against said tread face and extending rearwardly of said footgear to a downwardly extending position approximately perpendicular to said tread face.
 2. A traction device according to claim 1 in which said device is attached to a snowshoe.
 3. A traction device according to claim 1 including at least one fin mounted to said claw, said fin being disposed in a plane extending lengthwise of said footgear and perpendicular to said tread face.
 4. A traction device according to claim 1 including biasing means connected to said claw for normally urging said claw into an extended position.
 5. A traction devide according to claim 4 wherein said biasing means is a spring connected to said claw.
 6. A traction device according to claim 1 including selectively operable locking means engageable with said claw for locking said claw in a retracted position.
 7. A traction device according to claim 1 including claw mounting means attachable to said footgear and comprising a first member securable to a lateral support of said footgear and a second member pivotally connected to said first member securable to a peripheral support of said footgear. 